Sunday, December 8, 2013

The REAL Information Highway

Americans are always on the road. We're also always online. I think a worthy goal for the next 10 years or so would be to use one to enhance the other.The Plan?-

Every mile of  Interstate highway should be a conduit for and source of broadcasted Hi Speed WiFi Internet.

All of the routers, towers,  ect would be powered by a connected series of solar panels, small wind turbines (powered by wind from passing cars) & other CLEAN power generators. These can be placed along the side of the road or built in unused land in the interstate medium. Brand new industries and thousands of jobs could be created bidding for the contracts in different cities/areas. Even without the Internet THE ENTIRE USA INTERSTATE SYSTEM COULD GENERATE ELECTRICITY TO SUPPLY A NATIONAL POWER GRID! That alone would be a inportant achievement.

One of the most exciting technological wonders coming along in the next few years is a fleet of autonomous cars that can drive themselves. Having an always on hi speed Internet means even less of a possibility of the runaway robot car that doesn't know where it is on the map. Also, while you're riding you can check your email, watch a movie on Netflix, and visit all your social and gaming websites. If you still don't trust that robot car you can create an entire new category of stay at home workers whose job is to live monitor automatic public cabs and busses.

The Interstate Information Superhighway will also benifit every neighborhood it passes through. Suddenly every school,  apartment conplex and home near the overpass becomes a lot more attractive with the addition of free hi speed wifi EVERYWHERE in the neighborhood. 

Obviously, theres a lot of things that would need to happen to make this plan work. An obvious issue would be,  What to do about all the phone/internet suppliers who could concievably lose Millions of customers.  Should internet acess still be an optional comodity or a basic utily like electricity and water? And how much would it all cost to maintain.? And who would do that maintenence?  The government?  Private companies? These are all valid concerns. But think about the tremendous good that could be done! A connected Highway of Asphalt AND Information! A road to take you from one side of the country to the other AND into the future.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Transitional Border Towns - A NEW Immigration Idea

To illegaly cross the U.S. / Mexican Border you must cross a dry, dangerous dessert, elude border patrol, and sometimes climb razor topped barb wire with only the clothes on your back- all for the chance to get into The United States. While there IS a major criminal element that must be stopped, the majority of these Border crossers want nothing more than a shot at a better life for themselves and their family.Instead of closing more of the border why not INCREASE the number of openings in the form of Transitional Border Towns (TBT). A Transitional Border Town would consist of an enclosed and guarded "town" run by the U.S. border patrol inside our borders. Every person crossing at a non-regular border into a TBT will be photographed and initally ID'd. Afterwards they 'll be sent to dormitory-type housing and offered basic nourishment and medical care if necessary. From there a crosser has 2 WEEKS to either find some assigned work, begin a citizenship path or immediately be returned back across the border in regular plane flights deep into Mexico.

   Alright, you got the basic idea. I'm sure your next question is "Who's gonna pay for all of this? That's the beautiful part of this plan. This will be paid fore jointly between the U.S. government and the farms and corporations looking to cheaply employee these people. In return for partially funding the town, the companies get to hire at a rate lower than U.S. minimum wage for an assigned period of  no more than 6 months. For that 6 months the farm or company is "responsible" for their employee. If they leave the job (or need to be fired) the company HAS to report it back to Border Patrol, or the Crosser could return to a TBT. At the end of 6 months either the guest worker status of the Crosser can expire/ be renewed/ or the Crosser could become a citizen, elegillble for federal benifets and minimum wage and above.

Transitional Border Towns CAN work both ways. The Illegals already in the country are constantly looking over their shoulders for ICE agents, afraid of getting caught but willing to take the chance. In TBTs they won't have to worry. They can enter and get in line with new border crossers and be on exactly the same footing as long as they agree to the same restrictions. This plan is a border crossing and immigration fixer all in one! Additionally, qualified (possible college educated!) longtime U.S. Resident Illegals can be given positions as Transition Helpers in areas such as language training, US Laws and "regular" American culture.

One more thing. Building, staffing and maintaining Transitional Border Towns will provide a LOT of jobs. Good paying jobs.  AMERICAN JOBS. For US citizens only

 Pass this idea along and let me know what YOU think. It's easiest to reach me on Twitter @KnoBrain3r